About Us
I would just like to say that I stumbled across this page just surfing around on the net, delaying tidying up for a house inspection in the morning. Was only supposed to have a quick look that turned into 3 hour look around … Well I’m out have to clean this hairy house up.
A Kickett
Kaartdijin means knowledge in the language of the Noongar people of the south-west of Western Australia. The South West Aboriginal Land & Sea Council recognised the importance of documenting and capturing stories of Noongar people. SWALSC say this is the opportunity for Noongar people to tell our story our way. Our history is an oral sharing of stories and through the work of the Native Title process we witnessed many stories. However we need to work with the technology of today to help the generations of tomorrow to understand our community past and present. Kaartdijin Noongar shares Noongar history and culture with the Noongar community and the wider world. The information on Kaartdijin will provide a strong reference for our future generations and others to learn about the living culture of Noongar people.
Since colonisation, for the better part of 200 years, Noongar have been trying to regain some of the freedom, some dignity, some sort of peace in a world that is irreversibly different from that which came before it. At the same time though, there are many Noongar people who have remained strong, who have been carriers and custodians of our culture and language, carers of our country, backbones of our families and advocates of our people.
Glen Kelly, Chief Executive Officer, SWALSC, 2011
On Kaartdijin Noongar you can find many of our stories, which tell of our survival, as well as cultural and heritage information, photographs, film and documents. Kaartdijin has been
developed at the South West Aboriginal Land and Sea Council, which has possibly the largest collection of Noongar specific knowledge and information brought together in one place.
(Dr Malcolm Allbrook and Dr Mary Anne Jebb, ‘Assessment of the Significance of the South West Aboriginal Land and Sea Council Collection,’ 2010.)
Dear South West Aboriginal Land and Sea Council, I just wanted to acknowledge and say thank you for producing such a wonderful webpage. I really have enjoyed looking through it and learning. Best wishes for Christmas and the New Year, David :)
Ngulla boodjar, our land, they call this ngulla boodjar our land. Nitcha ngulla koorl nyininy. This is our ground we came and sat upon.
Noongar Elder Tom Bennell in Collard, Harben and van den Berg, ‘Nidja Beeliar Boodjar Noonookurt Nyininy’, 2004
Well, I was, I always knew since I was, I guess, old enough to think I was a Noongar. You know, and I say ‘Noongar’ not Nyungah like some people say. I dunno whether that’s the right word but we’ve always used Noongar. That’s our, whether it’s our skin colour or just being part of the Ballardong clan I suppose.
Kevin Fitzgerald snr., oral history, SWALSC, 2011
There are two sections on the Kaartdijin website one for general public and one which can only be accessed by members of the South West Aboriginal Land and Sea Council. Here, photos, stories and other information can be uploaded and shared with a family, a claim group, men or women, as is culturally appropriate. This is where the idea of Kaartdijin began. Our inspiration for the Kaartdijin Website came from Gurringun Aboriginal Corporation and the Ara Irititja Project of the Pitjantjatjara Council Inc.
Hello, I’d just like to say that i love your website. It is vey informing and a pleasure to read through. I have an assignment where I must find information on the significance of certain flora and fauna in Noongar culture. Would you happen to know where I may get information on Noongar knowledge of the Darlmoorluk or the Willow Myrtle? Thank you! Nick
Hi, Great website to increase awareness and educate the community on Noongar Culture, Country and People. Thanks for making the information available online. Ian
Firstly, Congratulations on such a wonderful website! I have a few comments – based on Sandra’s comments on Noongar stories not always being the stories told in school – would it maybe be an idea to have a Resources page that recommended Noongar authors, artists and their work etc for further reading? Amy
Hi, I just wanted to congratulate everyone involved in the making of this site, you have all done fantastic job! I love learning about the indigenous culture of Australia and this site has really given myself and others a lot of study material. I will for sure spread the word that this site exists and I will return often to practice memorizing the content. I am sure that your wonderful website will inspire other communities in Australia to do the same work.
Thank you all so much and kind regards, Luke Scanlon
Brilliant website I am really enjoying it, and have started a wall of word of the week from your word list … my little one loves watching Waabiny time on NIT.
Hi. Your website is really excellent. I hope you can continue to develop it. I live in York. I have a friend in England who is coming to visit and one of the most important things he wants to do is visit some sites that are important and available to visit
I visited Bunbury in April and noted the unusual earth energy at Walyup Point. I had a long chat about Aboriginal links to the place with Troy Bennell the next day at the dolphin centre but forgot to ask him what Waly means? Can you tell me? I am in England, writing an article for the British Society of Dowsers and it would be helpful to know asap.
Love this website! Thanks, Angela
Hello,
I am playing MC at a friends birthday party this Saturday and the host would like to acknowledge the traditional owners of the land at the start of the event. This will be the first time I have completed a “Welcome to Country” and am wanting to ensure I do it well.
Could you please advise me if I acknowledge the Noongar people or is there a specific family I acknowledge instead? The event is being hosted at a farm near Brunswick Junction (near Bunbury).
Thank you in advance for your help.
Dione
Hi,
I came across a lightning picture of mine whilst googling “Beeliar bird” and found it was being used here. Many thanks for choosing this one and a couple of my other pics for use on this excellent and informative site. Its great to see them here. And many thanks for acknowledging where they came from. Please feel free to help yourself to more!
Kind regards
Ben Clark
Just wondering if there are classes to learn Noongar in Perth.
Scott
I would just like to thank you for the amazing efforts you have gone to in sharing your culture and history with the world. I am currently studying indigenous culture at tafe (community services) and will, no doubt, have ALL the content and info I need right here. So thanks! Because of your dedication and commitment, the noongar culture will not be lost. Peter Walker, August 2014